OLYMPIA — July 7, 2016 — Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn will conduct an election in November 2016 for one position on the State Board of Education: Western Region Position 4. The position is a four-year term beginning the second Monday in January 2017.

two members from the eastern region of the state, elected by public school directors;

three members from the western region, elected by public school directors;

one member, at large, elected by approved private schools;

the superintendent of public instruction;

seven members appointed by the governor; and

two student representatives selected by the state board itself.

Candidates must be residents of the region they wish to represent. They cannot be employed by any public or private school, college, university or other educational institution, any educational service district, or the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction after being elected to the State Board. Persons elected to the board may not concurrently serve as a member of the board of directors of either a public school district or a private school.

The State Board of Education helps develop programs that prepare each student for the future. It provides leadership, support and advocacy, through policy, to help each student achieve success in school and life.

Membership on the board requires a considerable commitment of time for preparation and attendance at various meetings. More information about board service requirements is available through the State Board of Education office in Olympia (360)725-6025, or via e-mail at sbe@k12.wa.us.

All declarations of candidacy and optional biographical data forms must be filed with the state superintendent’s office in Olympia by 5:00 p.m. September 30, 2016.

Elected board members will be sworn in at the January 2017 State Board of Education meeting.

About OSPI
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K–12 education in Washington state. Led by State School Superintendent Randy Dorn, OSPI works with the state’s 295 school districts and nine educational service districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform on behalf of more than one million public school students.

OSPI provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to the Equity and Civil Rights Director at (360) 725-6162 or P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200.